US response to Pakistan's crisis

How will the US administration deal with a post-Bhutto Pakistan?

How will the US respond to Pakistan's crisis and theupcoming elections? [AFP]

As Pakistan mourns Benazir Bhutto, the former Pakistani prime minister and opposition leader, her PPP party has been meeting in Southern Sindh province to discuss her replacement and decide a policy for the upcoming general elections. Her son, Bilalwal was appointed party chairman, along with his father Asif Ali Zardari.

At the same time, the US administration is considering its options for a post-Bhutto Pakistan. Washington has been heavily depending on Pakistan in its so-called 'war on terror'. Now, Washington's challenges look far more daunting than they were in brokering a power-sharing deal between Bhutto and Pervez Musharraf, the Pakistani president, which ended her exile.

So, just how can the US respond to Pakistan's current crisis and particularly, the coming general election?